12-12-23-PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee - December 12, 2023 Page 6 Committee Member Poelzer noted the City also provided safety vests to use. Chair Hinton stated that she didn’t like the boulder idea either, as kids love to climb on them. Committee Member Dietz asked what the grade was like there now. Committee Member Jacobson said it is about six feet tall, asymmetrical; higher on the east side and slopes down. Committee Member Poelzer noted that some of the plants on Option 1 would take over and not all of the plants listed would be visible. She wondered if serviceberry would have actual berries that might draw deer. She thought they wouldn’t want to plant anything that might draw deer. Committee Member Olson said serviceberry was mildly deer resistant according to a website she was looking at. Committee Member Poelzer brought attention to the fact that Committee Member Jacobson was retired from MnDOT and was their expert when it came to roads, roundabouts, or where trails intersect with roads. Committee Member Jacobson said Option 3 was the one she thought would add interest but still be manageable to maintain. Otherwise she would recommend Option 2 as it would be easy to maintain the grasses around the serviceberry. They could choose Option 2 and do Option 3 at a later time. Council Liaison Rousseau asked if they would like this to go to a Council work session for discussion. A motion was made by Committee Member Jacobson and seconded by Committee Member Edgar to forward the options to the City Council to be discussed at a future work session. Motion passed unanimously. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Fire Pit Donation (Bench Handout) Recreation Supervisor Johnson explained that a resident would like to donate a large gas- powered fire pit to be located in an Arden Hills park or on City property. This is an unused fire pit 40 inches tall x 58 inches long x 28 inches deep. There would be no maintenance required. This would be a free pit for anyone to use they would just need to provide their own propane tank. Estimated value is between $300-$500. It has a stone look, and the propane tank is hidden underneath with a section of river rock in the middle where the fire comes out. If the committee votes to accept it, it would have to go through the Arden Hills Foundation. They would also need to think about where to put it. They would need a sign on it to say that people using it would have to supply their own propane tank and assume liability. Committee Member Olson asked if anyone knew of other cities that have something like this.